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(H.R. 1217) Legislation eliminating the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which invested $15 billion in preventive health care initiatives such as immunizations, school health centers, primary care physician training programs, and anti-obesity measures – On the resolution setting a time limit for debate and determining which amendments could be offered to the bill (2011 house Roll Call 258)

(H.R. 1217) Legislation eliminating the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which invested $15 billion in preventive health care initiatives such as immunizations, school health centers, primary care physician training programs, and anti-obesity measures – On the resolution setting a time limit for debate and determining which amendments could be offered to the bill

This was a vote on a resolution setting a time limit for debate and determining which amendments could be offered to legislation eliminating the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which invested $15 billion in preventive health care initiatives.

The Prevention and Public Health Fund was established in 2010 under the landmark health care reform law that was strongly supported and signed into law by President Obama. The Fund authorized the Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary to allocate funding to states for a wide variety of preventive health care programs, such as immunizations, school health centers, primary care physician training programs, and anti-obesity measures. Most Democrats strongly supported the Fund, arguing it would lower health care costs by expanding access to preventive care. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) urged support for the resolution and the underlying bill, arguing that the Prevention and Public Health Fund lacked accountability: “Republicans are rejecting this slush fund by considering this bill which would repeal the fund and take back any money that has not already been spent this year….My colleagues across the aisle will argue that this money is being used to train primary care physicians, to prevent obesity, and to encourage healthy lifestyles. What they won't tell you is that they have absolutely no idea how the money is being used, because they abdicated the authority of Congress to an unelected bureaucrat [the secretary of Health and Human Services].”

Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) opposed the resolution and the underlying bill: “…We spend more than $2 trillion annually on health care, more than any other nation on Earth. Yet tens of millions of Americans still suffer from preventable and chronic diseases. In fact, approximately 75 percent of the Nation's health care expenditure is spent on treating chronic conditions. These conditions account for seven of 10 deaths in America. For too long, the health delivery system in our country has been focused on only treating people after they get sick, not before…. This bill before us will have a devastating effect on the future health of America, both in terms of our physical health and for our fiscal responsibility. In order to truly improve both our health and our health care in this country, we must focus on prevention.”

The House agreed to this resolution by a vote of 237-180. All 233 Republicans present and 4 Democrats voted “yea.” 180 Democrats voted “nay.” As a result, the House proceeded to formal floor debate on legislation eliminating the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which invested $15 billion in preventive health care initiatives such as immunizations, school health centers, primary care physician training programs, and anti-obesity measures.